Robredo calls out Duterte over ‘inappropriate remarks’
Vice President Leni Robredo (left) and President Rodrigo Duterte talk in Malacañang during her first courtesy call to the Chief Executive. INQUIRER FILE
Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday issued a statement on “inappropriate remarks” made by President Duterte about her while they were leading commemorative rites for the third anniversary of Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’ in Tacloban.
Robredo’s statement emphasized that “tasteless remarks and inappropriate advances against women should have no place in our society.”
“We should expect that most of all from our leaders,” she said.
The statement apparently showed Robredo, a widow with three daughters, finding the chief executive’s narration of how he liked her legs as offensive, even if she tried to brush it off in a brief interview with journalists after the event held Tuesday, Nov. 8.
READ: Duterte admits ogling at Robredo’s legs during Cabinet meeting | Robredo on flirtatious Duterte: I’m used to being his ‘pulutan’
“When President Duterte made inappropriate remarks, I deliberately chose to ignore these. There are larger and more urgent issues we confront as a nation that demand our collective attention,” Robredo said.
But Robredo said that while she chose to pay no attention to Duterte’s remarks, “many were bothered and offended by it.”
“As we all rightly should,” she said.
“I have spent many years as an alternative lawyer fighting for the rights of women, myself included. That commitment will never waver,” Robredo said, adding:
“This episode only strengthens my resolve to fulfill my mandate as the duly elected Vice President, who is determined to help alleviate poverty through building homes and communities. My mission of building partnerships to uplift the lives of the Filipino family will continue with renewed vigor.”
“When President Duterte made inappropriate remarks, I deliberately chose to ignore these. There are larger and more urgent issues we confront as a nation that demand our collective attention,” Robredo said.
In Tacloban, Duterte said he and Finance Sec. Carlos Dominguez admired Robredo’s knees when she wore a “short skirt” to one Cabinet meeting. Duterte added that he wished Robredo would instead wear a pair of shorts.
He also asked Robredo onstage if she had a boyfriend, and said “if it’s true, a congressman may be killed.”
Robredo shook her head to say “No.” Even if she had smiled throughout the teasing, Robredo obviously appeared uncomfortable.
The Vice President’s husband, the much-respected former Interior Sec. Jesse Robredo, died in a tragic plane crash in August 2012. CBB
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